Coronavirus: Through the lens of a Quranic parable
The beauty of the Qur’ān is that this parable, along with others, can be applied to the many trials and tribulations that Muslims have gone through in the 1441 years since its revelation.
Condolences and Reflections on the passing of Junaid Jamshed
In the early hours of Wednesday 8th December 2016, corresponding to the 8th Rabi al-Awwal 1438, the Islamabad-bound Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight PK-661 crashed in the Havelian area, 70km north of Islamabad. All 48 people on board were killed. The world was soon to learn that the prominent Dā’ī and distinguished Munshid, Junaid Jamshed, and his wife were among those on board. Inna lillāhi wa ina ilayhi rājiʿūn. For those who grew up in the 1990’s, Junaid Jamshed’s name was synonymous with the band Vital Signs. Identifiable by his good looks, beautiful voice and stage presence, Junaid Jamshed was…
Being true to yourself
"To thine own self be true" Words from Shakespeare's famous play Hamlet. This is Polonius's last piece of advice to his son Laertes, who is in a hurry to get on the next boat to Paris. It is advice that every Muslim can benefit from. In Sūrah Tawbah, Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) informs his Messenger (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) that among the Bedouins around the city of Madinah are hypocrites as well as in Madinah itself. Allāh says; وَمِمَّنْ حَوْلَكُم مِّنَ الْأَعْرَابِ مُنَافِقُونَ وَمِنْ أَهْلِ الْمَدِينَةِ مَرَدُوا عَلَى النِّفَاقِ لَا تَعْلَمُهُمْ نَحْنُ نَعْلَمُهُمْ سَنُعَذِّبُهُم مَّرَّتَيْنِ ثُمَّ يُرَدُّونَ إِلَىٰ عَذَابٍ عَظِيمٍ…
Curse of the inferiority complex
Not long had passed since the drowning of the evil Pharaoh and his oppressing nation. Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) had taken retribution against them for all their wrong doings towards the Prophet of Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā), Mūsā (ʿalayhi al-Salām), and his people, the Children of Israel. Finally, his tyrannical regime had been bought to a dramatic and humiliating end, and the Children of Israel were now able to begin a new life, where freedom replaced fear, hope replaced humiliation and ambition replaced anxiety. Having miraculously crossed the very same Red Sea that swallowed up the evil Pharaoh and his…
Two wines of different times
“Here's to alcohol. The rose coloured glasses of life.” “Curry and a pint”… “Wine and dine” … “Beer after the game.” How often have we heard the above phrases, or similar ones, during our lives? The answer: countless times. The society we live in today holds alcohol as one of the great pleasures of life, and a crucial ingredient to having 'a good time'. In Fitzgerald’s terms, it is a substance for life. Whether it is drunk to socialise, to settle ones nerves, or even to drown ones sorrows, alcohol is the first port of call for many in the world…
Prepare O Muslims, for turbulent times ahead
The Prayer of the Persecuted The Children of Israel, living under the evil dictatorial regime of the Pharaoh, continue to be oppressed. The Pharaoh has enslaved them, killed their sons, and humiliated them without any respite. All this, merely because they chose to believe in the One Almighty Allāh, and refused to accept the Pharaoh’s absurd claim of being a deity worthy of worship. After this period of prolonged and agonising hardship, Mūsā (ʿalayhi al-Salām) and his brother Hārūn (ʿalayhi al-Salām) receive an inspiration from Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā). They are told to tell their people, the Children of Israel,…
“Terrorists threaten to overthrow Pharaoh!”
Today's Pharaonic labelling system Mūsa (ʿalayhi al-Salām) returns to Egypt from Madyan. Informed by his lord that he has been chosen for a huge mission, Mūsa is set to confront the evil Pharaoh, the man who transgresses all boundaries set by Allāh. His task: to go with his brother Hārūn, and speak to the Pharaoh “mildly so he may take admonishment or become fearful” and to send with them the oppressed community of the children of Israel. The Pharaoh, who has the audacity to claim that he is “the highest lord” is to be warned that “the torment will be…
The Woman with the Shy Walk
Hot, hungry, thirsty, and fearing for his safety, the Prophet of Allāh Mūsa (ʿalayhi al-Salām) arrives to the city of Madyan. Chased by the Pharonic police of the time, following the innocent killing of a member of the elite Coptic community, Mūsa (ʿalayhi al-Salām) has fled from Egypt enveloped in a state of fear. Gone are the days of luxury and comfort in the palace of the Pharaoh. Now Mūsa (ʿalayhi al-Salām) finds himself away from home, desperate and dishevelled, surrounded by unfamiliarity, hoping and praying for guidance and protection from his Lord. Having settled briefly, still suffering from fatigue and overwhelming thirst, Mūsa (ʿalayhi al-Salām) comes across…